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Recognition celebrates their commitment to building 21st century leaders

ST. LOUIS, MO, May 31, 2017 — General Colin Powell, U.S.A. (Ret.) and Mrs. Alma Powell, founding chair and chair, respectively, of America’s Promise Alliance, recently received the INROADS Excellence in Leadership Award. The award honors leaders who have dedicated their lives to building 21st century leaders, and who exhibit a commitment to breaking down barriers to diversity and inclusion.

More than 200 corporate and community leaders attended the INROADS, Inc. inaugural fundraising and awards celebration — Celebrating Excellence in Leadership — held recently at the Hyatt Regency Washington. Emceed by NBC Washington reporter, Meagan Fitzgerald, the black-tie gala, reception and dinner recognized corporations and individuals that honor, support and advance INROADS’ mission through exemplary leadership, advocacy, innovation and partnership.

“It was an amazing inaugural event and a magical evening,” said Forest Harper, President and CEO of INROADS, Inc. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and everyone who made donations; your support helps ensure that INROADS will continue transforming lives. I look forward to making this gala an annual event.”

Other awards recipients and honorees included:

The Frank C. Carr Award for corporate partners who have exhibited a commitment to the diversity talent pipeline and supported the INROADS mission: Kaiser Permanente.

The INROADS Lifetime Achievement Award for individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing diversity: Tom Joyner, nationally syndicated radio host and philanthropist.

The INROADS Alumni of the Year Awards for INROADS Alumni whose professional success both exemplifies and honors the INROADS legacy: Andrew Au, Founder, Intercept Group; the Honorable Shera Grant, 10th Judicial Circuit Jefferson County, Ala.; and The Honorable Shanta Owens, 10th Judicial Circuit Jefferson County, Ala.

All proceeds raised at the event will benefit INROADS’ leadership and career development programs, including:

INROADS College Links, educational instruction, coaching, work skills, and college planning workshops for high school students and their parents.

INROADS CORE College Program, known as the Leadership Development Academy, which includes a paid internship and year-round development program; and access to INROADS national conference called Leadership Development Institute (LDI).

INROADS’ Alumni Services, providing professional counsel, support, and access to job boards and networking events to graduates of the CORE College Program.

About INROADS
Founded in 1970, INROADS develops and places talented underserved youth in business and industry, preparing them for corporate and community leadership that effects community renewal and social change and elevates economic status and quality of life. INROADS has placed students in over 135,000 paid internships throughout its history, and graduated over 28,000 alumni into fulltime professional and leadership positions with over 1,000 corporate partners. Currently, INROADS serves nearly 1,300 interns and 200 corporate clients. To learn more, visit INROADS.org/benefitgala.